Rajasthan ANTF arrests 8 in seven-district anti-drug sweep, seizes heroin, MD
Synopsis
In one of its most geographically sweeping operations, the Rajasthan ANTF hit seven districts simultaneously on 11 July, netting eight alleged traffickers and drugs ranging from cross-border heroin to synthetic MD — exposing a trafficking web that stretches from the Punjab border to eastern Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan ANTF arrested 8 alleged drug smugglers across 7 districts on 11 July in a single coordinated operation.
Seized drugs included poppy husk , heroin (chitta) , cannabis (ganja) , and the synthetic drug MD ; four vehicles were impounded.
Largest single seizure was 45.7 kg of poppy husk in Pali , intercepted after a high-speed chase.
A Punjab-based heroin supplier was among those arrested, highlighting cross-state trafficking links.
One accused in Barmer remains at large; a case has been registered and a search is ongoing.
ANTF IGP Vikas Kumar urged citizens to report drug activity via hotline 0141-2502877 or WhatsApp 9261225056 .
The Rajasthan Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on 11 July arrested eight alleged drug traffickers in a sweeping, simultaneous crackdown across seven districts of the state, seizing quantities of poppy husk, heroin (chitta), cannabis (ganja), and the synthetic drug MD. Four vehicles — one car and three motorcycles — allegedly used in narcotics transportation were also impounded in what officials described as one of the task force's largest coordinated operations to date.
Operation Command and Scope
The statewide drive was conducted under the direct guidance of Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar Sharma and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Dinesh MN, with ANTF units operating in tandem with district-level police across Sri Ganganagar, Pali, Udaipur, Deeg, Barmer, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner. ANTF Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vikas Kumar said the coordinated crackdown had dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating across Rajasthan.
Key Arrests and Seizures
In Sri Ganganagar, a Punjab-based alleged heroin supplier, Raj Singh (28) of Fazilka district, was arrested after allegedly attempting to conceal himself in bushes near Suratgarh. Officers recovered 40 grams of heroin from his possession.
In Pali, a high-speed chase through the Khairwa-Aichiya area ended with the interception of a car carrying 45.7 kg of poppy husk. The accused, Subhash Siyak (24) of Jodhpur district, was arrested and the vehicle seized.
In Udaipur, two suspects — Prakash (24) of Bhilwara and Virendra Singh (22) of Udaipur — were arrested with 8.3 kg of cannabis concealed in a yellow plastic sack, along with both motorcycles allegedly used by them.
In Deeg, Rajveer Singh alias Raju (50) of Bharatpur district was arrested while allegedly en route to deliver a narcotics consignment. Police recovered 2.015 kg of cannabis and seized his motorcycle.
In Barmer, acting on specific intelligence, officers unearthed 5.5 kg of poppy husk hidden in a field in Galaberi village. A case has been registered against the absconding accused, and a search is under way.
In Hanumangarh, Ramesh Kumar (37) was arrested after allegedly attempting to flee a police blockade. Officers recovered 6.27 grams of heroin from him.
In Bikaner, two men — Ashok Kumar (43) and Surendra (19) — were detained near the Jodhpur-Ganganagar Bypass with 9.54 grams of the synthetic drug MD packed in two sachets.
What Officials Said
IGP Vikas Kumar said the operation reaffirmed the state's resolve to achieve a drug-free Rajasthan and appealed to citizens to report narcotics activity to the ANTF Control Room at 0141-2502877 or via WhatsApp at 9261225056, with assurances that informant identities would remain confidential. He added that the ANTF would sustain its intensified enforcement campaign as part of Rajasthan Police's broader anti-narcotics mission.
Broader Context
Rajasthan's proximity to drug-supply corridors — particularly from Punjab and the western border — has made it a persistent transit and consumption zone for narcotics including chitta and poppy derivatives. This operation is notable for its geographic spread, covering districts from the Pakistan-border belt in the west to the Bharatpur region in the east, suggesting trafficking networks that cut across the state rather than clustering in any single corridor. The involvement of a Punjab-based supplier in Sri Ganganagar also points to cross-state linkages that local enforcement alone cannot sever.
Point of View
Not just the arrest tally. It signals that Rajasthan's drug problem is not a localised border issue but a state-wide distribution network. The presence of a Fazilka-based supplier confirms what enforcement agencies have long known: Rajasthan is a critical transit corridor between Punjab's supply side and markets further south. Single-day sweeps create optics of action, but without sustained disruption of supply chains and kingpin-level prosecutions, the network reconstitutes quickly. The one absconding accused in Barmer is a small but telling detail — tip-based intelligence is only as good as the follow-through.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rajasthan ANTF and what did it do on 11 July?
The Rajasthan Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is a specialised police unit dedicated to combating drug trafficking in the state. On 11 July, it conducted simultaneous raids across seven districts, arresting eight alleged smugglers and seizing heroin, poppy husk, cannabis, and synthetic MD in one of its largest single-day operations.
Which districts were covered in the Rajasthan ANTF drug operation?
The operation spanned Sri Ganganagar, Pali, Udaipur, Deeg, Barmer, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner — seven districts spread across Rajasthan, covering border areas in the west and interior regions in the east.
What drugs and quantities were seized in the operation?
Seized items included 45.7 kg of poppy husk (Pali), 8.3 kg of cannabis (Udaipur), 2.015 kg of cannabis (Deeg), 5.5 kg of poppy husk (Barmer), 40 grams of heroin (Sri Ganganagar), 6.27 grams of heroin (Hanumangarh), and 9.54 grams of synthetic MD (Bikaner). Four vehicles were also impounded.
Is anyone still being sought in connection with the operation?
Yes. In Barmer, the accused who had hidden 5.5 kg of poppy husk in a field in Galaberi village is reportedly absconding. A case has been registered and police say efforts to trace the individual are under way.
How can citizens report drug trafficking to Rajasthan ANTF?
The ANTF has urged the public to share information via its Control Room number 0141-2502877 or through WhatsApp at 9261225056. Officials have assured that the identity of all informants will be kept strictly confidential.
